Centrifugal casting machine



Aug. 1, 1950 N. JANCO CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMay 21, 1946 ATTORNEYS Aug. 1, 1950 N. JANCO CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINEFiled May 21, 1946 2 SheetsSheet 2 lIIIII/IlI/l I 7IIIIIIIIII4 l/IAII/II/III W e'l 1044 A TTORNEYS FIG.5

Patented Aug. 1, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,517,317 CENTRIFUGALCASTING MACHINE Nathan Janco, Tulsa, Okla. Application May 21, 1946,Serial No. 671,254 1 1 Claim. (01. 22

This invention relates to improvements in centrifugal casting machinesand refers more particularly to machines in which the flask or moldcarrier is clamped in place.

In the trunnion type centrifugal casting machines used heretofore, .eachmachine accommodates only flasks of a given size. The trunnion wheelsand tracks or tires of the conventional machine result in noisyoperation, are expensive and restrict the versatility of the machine.

An object of this invention is to provide a centrifugal casting machinecapable of operation with various size flasks.

Another object of this invention is to provide a centrifugal castingmachine of the clamp type in which the usual trunnion wheels and tiresare dispensed with. i i i i i A further object is to provide a castingmachine .in which the flasks may be readily loaded and unloaded withrespect to the machine. 1

Still another object is to provide a casting machine which willaccommodate flasks varying both in diameter and length.

A still further object is to provide a casting machine having anextended life due to a minimum of and maximum size of bearing surfacesand wherein the bearing surfaces may be readily repaired or replacedwhen worn.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from thefollowing description:

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the instantspecification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and whereinlike reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the variousviews,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a casting machine echine shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to that of. Fig. 3 illustrating amodified clamping ring, and

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary views similar to Fig. 3 showing modifiedface plates and clamping assemblies.

Broadly the centrifugal casting machine of this invention comprises ahousing or support with an associated runner pot at one end, a clampingassembly rotatably carried by the housingand a adaptedtto releasablyengage a mold carrier or flask and the driving mechanism for revolvingand actuating the clamping assembly.

; Referring; to the drawings, the support comprises a. horizontal groundbase [0 and upright 2 forward and rear housings II and l2respectively.The first housing is at the pouring end of the machine and is adjustablymounted on track Illa ofthe base by bolt Ila. The rear housing encasesthe driving mechanism.

The forward housing II has :a central opening in which is positioned thebearing ring I3. Bearing against the inner periphery of ring 13 is thecylindrical portion of the forward clamp holder or face plate M. Acooling jacket I5 is positioned withinthe cylindrical portion of plateI4 to dissipate heat from the bearing. The runner pot I6 has a runnerportion IBa adapted to extend through the central opening of the forwardhousing to distribute molten material into the mold in the customaryfashion.

. A somewhat similar rear face plate I! is journaled in the rearhousing. The mounting of this face plate will be more fully hereinafterexplained in connection with the driving mechanism of the machine. 7

The face plates i4 and I! have confronting outturned flanges which carrythe clamping means of this invention. In the modification shown in Fig.3 adapter. rings l8 are bolted to the flange portions of the faceplates. These adapter rings-have a cylindrical flange portion with abeveled surface shown at 18a. These beveled surfaces are adapted toreceive the beveled edges of flask I9 whereby the flask may be removablyclamped in position upon axial movement of one of the. face plates. Theflask is a cylindrical member and contains a conventional mold 20 heldin place by suitable positioning rings 2| at each end i Often flasks ofdifferent diameters are required and according to this invention may beused with this machine by employing varying size adapter rings l8. InFig. 4 a modified form of adapter ring 22 is shown to illustrate thepositioning of a flask 23 having a smaller diameter than flask IQ ofFig. 3. Another modification of the clamping means is shown in Figs. 5and 6 wherein face plates 24 carry or have formed thereon a series ofclamping surfaces which are concentric with the axis of rotation of theplates. The right hand or driving clamp shows another modificationwherein face plate 33 carries an adapter plate 34 bolted thereto. Thisadapter plate has formed thereon clamping surfaces corresponding tothose of plate 24. These adapter plates are provided with a series ofconcentric beveled portions or surfaces which constitute holdingsurfaces. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 flasks having diameterscorresponding to the clamping surfaces of the adapter plates may beclamped therebetween. It

3 is to be understood that these modified forms of clamping means areshown by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation.

Referring to the drive mechanism for the face plate I! reference is madeto Fig. 3. The cylindrical portion Ila of plate ll extends into thefront opening of housing AZ. This cylindrical portion bears in a sleeve26 of suitable bearing material positioned within the housing. Internalsplines l'lb are formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portionof plate l1. These splines fit corresponding splines 21a formed at theforward end of shaft 21. Shaft 21 is journaled in housing l2 by means ofa plurality of bearing rings 28 with suitable spacers. Shaft 21 has adriving connection with a pulley wheel 29 adapted to be suitablyconnected by V-shaped belts with a suitable prime mover not shown in thedrawing.

Driving torque is transmitted to plate H from the shaft through thespline connection. However, while this connection prevents relativerotation between the plate and shaft, nevertheless limited axialmovement of the plate H is permitted relative to the shaft. This limitedaxial movement permits advancement or retraction of the plate 11 withthe adapter ring or clamp 58 into and out of clamping engagement withthe flask 18. Thus placement or removal of the mold carrier or flask isfacilitated by providing for axial movement of one of the clamps.

In order to impart axial movement to one clamp, plate H, is mounted on aplunger 30. plate has a partition We with a central aperture which fitsover the countersunk end portion of the plunger. A bearing ring 3! andnut 32 position the plate on the end of the plunger. The

ill

The

bearing ring 3! also serves as a stop limiting rearward movement of theclamp by abutment against the forward end of shaft 21. Any suitablemeans for actuating plunger 30 may be provided and preferably hydraulicmeans are utilized. are not shown in the drawings.

It is believed that the operation of the machine is apparent from theforegoing description. Face plate ii is retracted to a rearward positionand the flask l 9 is placed in position between the confronting platesI! and [4. Face plate I! and the clamp or adapter ring l3 associatedtherewith are advanced by manipulation of plunger 30 to cause engagementbetween the beveled ends of the flask and the beveled clamping surfacesof the adapter rings is. on shaft 21 is permitted by the splineconnection therebetween. The mold 2!) and positioning plate 2! areassembled within the flask prior to its assembly in the machine. Theprime mover In the interest of simplicity these means 1 Axial movementof plate I! for driving the pulley is started and driving torque isimparted through pulley 29 and shaft 21 to the face plate I! by means ofthe spline connection between the plate and shaft. This driving torquein turn is transmitted from the face plate through the adapter ring l8to the flask l9 and thence to the forward adapter ring and face plate.Material to be cast is then run into the mold by means of the runner potit and the runner [6a. After the flask has been revolved for asufficient period of time, to form the casting, rotation of the flask isstopped and plunger 30 is actuated to retract face plate I! and itsassociated adapter ring [8. In this position the flask is released andmay be withdrawn. The casting may manner.

The versatility of the machine is illustrated by the modifications shownin Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Referring to Fig. 4 it is seen that adapter ringsl8 may be replaced by other suitable rings such as 22 in order toaccommodate various diameter flasks. It is apparent that the flask mayvary not only in diameter but also in length. The spline connectionbetween the face plate I! and drive shaft 2'! permits some axialadjustment to accommodate flasks of somewhat different length. Byadjusting the position of forward housing II on track Illa of the basesupport flasks varying in length as much as four feet and more may beused in the one machine. In the modifications of Figs. 5 and 6 a seriesof clamping surfaces are formed on the face plates themselves or arecarried thereby and provide accommodation for flasks of variousdiameters.

It will be seen that the objects of this invention have beenaccomplished. There has been provided a centrifugal casting machine thatis versatile in that it can accommodate flasks that vary in size both indiameter and length. The arrangement is such that the customarytrunnions are dispensed with and no tires are required on the flasks.The construction is such that one of the confronting face plates of thecasting machine may be moved axially to facilitate clamping of theflasks in position. This all contributes to the economy and utility ofthe machine and its operation resulting in lower cost castings.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinaticns are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaim.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described by invention, I claim:

In a centrifugal casting machine for casting a cylindrical object suchas pipe, a support, opposed clamping elements journaled in the supportand each having a corresponding plurality of concentric annular facesarranged about the axis of rotation of the clamp elements for clampingmolds of different diameters therebetween, a hollow drive shaftjournaled in the support axially of the clamping elements and having asplined driving connection with one of the clamping elements providingfor relative axial movement therebetween whereby the latter clampingelement may be shifted axially relative to the other element tofacilitate placement and removal of a mold member therebetween, and aplunger extending through the drive shaft and operably connected to thedriven clamp element to provide for axial shifting thereof.

NATHAN JANCO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,009,167 Monson Nov. 21, 19111,428,048 Myers Sept. 5, 1922 1,784,146 Leis Dec. 9, 1930 1,853,344Fobert Apr. 12, 1932 2,047,588 Ledeboer July 14, 1936

